03 History of Journalism – 1690 – present day

Summary

This video explores the evolution of journalism from its origins in 1690 to the present day. It highlights the journey from government censorship to independence, with the pivotal role of the First Amendment in securing press freedom. The script discusses the emergence of the 'fourth estate' concept, the rise of unbiased reporting with the New York Herald in 1835, and the shift from local to national newspapers in the 1850s. It also covers the advent of investigative journalism exemplified by Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle' and the impact of new media like radio, television, and the internet on news consumption, concluding with the current trend of obtaining news from social platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Takeaways

• 📰 The history of journalism spans from 1690 to the present, with early forms being heavily censored by governments.
• 🗞️ In 1722, Benjamin Franklin became the editor of 'The New England Courant,' facing accusations of publishing untruths by the government.
• 🗝️ The 18th century saw the rise of the belief in a free press, with Edmund Burke referring to journalists as the 'fourth estate', signifying their importance in governance.
• 🇺🇸 The U.S. Bill of Rights, enacted in 1791, included the First Amendment, which guaranteed freedom of the press and protected journalists from government control over information and opinions.
• 📈 Early 19th-century newspapers were often biased, presenting only one side of the story or viewpoint, aligning with the readers' opinions.
• 🔍 The New York Herald, established in 1835, aimed to provide unbiased and politically independent news for a broader audience.
• 📘 Technological advancements in the 1850s allowed newspapers to expand from local to national distribution, reaching hundreds of thousands of readers simultaneously.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Investigative journalism emerged in the early 20th century, exemplified by Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle' which exposed unhealthy practices in meatpacking industries.
• 📻 The 1920s saw competition for newspapers with the rise of radio news, offering families the opportunity to listen to news live and together.
• 📺 In the 1950s, television became a popular medium for news consumption, with nearly every U.S. household owning one, allowing for visual and auditory news experiences.
• 🌐 The 1990s marked the rise of the internet, leading to online newspapers that began to replace print copies, and the shift towards digital news consumption.
• 📲 Today, over half of U.S. adults get their news from social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook, reflecting the continued evolution of news delivery.

Q & A

What is the historical starting point discussed in the script for the history of journalism?

The script starts the history of journalism from 1690.

How was journalism initially controlled by governments in the 18th century?

In the 18th century, governments controlled what people wrote, and there were instances where journalists faced accusations of writing untruths, as experienced by Benjamin Franklin.

Who is credited with coining the term 'fourth estate' for journalists, and what was the significance?

Edmund Burke, an Irish politician, coined the term 'fourth estate' to signify the importance of journalists in a democratic society, alongside the three parts of government.

When were the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, including the freedom of the press, enacted?

The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were enacted in 1791.

What does the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protect in relation to journalism?

The First Amendment protects journalists' rights by ensuring that the government cannot control the information or opinions that journalists publish.

How did newspapers in the early 19th century typically present news?

Most newspapers in the early 19th century were biased, presenting only one side of the story or one point of view.

What was the goal of the New York Herald when it was started in 1835?

The New York Herald aimed to provide unbiased news that everyone could enjoy and also tried to be politically independent.

How did technological advancements in the 1850s affect the reach of newspapers?

Technological improvements made it easier to print and distribute newspapers, allowing hundreds of thousands of people to read the same newspaper on the same day across different parts of the country.

What is investigative journalism, and how did it emerge in the early 20th century?

Investigative journalism involves journalists looking into and writing about powerful people and industries. It emerged in the early 20th century with works like Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle,' which exposed unhealthy practices in meatpacking factories.

How did the introduction of radio and television impact the consumption of news in the 20th century?

The introduction of radio in the 1920s and television in the 1950s allowed families to listen to or watch the news simultaneously, and also enabled them to experience live events as they happened.

What is the current trend in news consumption in the USA according to the script?

Over half of the adults in the USA currently get their news from social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook.